Blue Ridge Trinity Lutheran Church 5757 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, MO 64133 (816) 353-5446 Fax (816) 356-1213 www.brtraytown.org brt@brtraytown.org Trinity Tidings From the Pastor s Desk Dear Saints, Greetings in Jesus name! We begin another year as we ended the old year: believing in Jesus Christ who makes all things new. Moving forward, we are mindful of what is ahead. And so from Advent-Christmas- Epiphany we prepare to cross the bridge known as Transfiguration to begin our Lenten journey that will culminate in Easter. As we do, I invite you to pay attention to how you/we are being shaped for mission in the world. Each Sunday, from worship we reenter the world that for many is filled with problems or challenges or opportunities. Having the right perspective matters and therefore we are intentionally sent with the words: Go in peace. Be the light of Christ in Epiphany. Our mission is to those who suffer during these dark cold days of winter. When struggling with dark thoughts, despair can get the better of us. This can lead to greater suffering and even death for the weak. Such lost is always difficult to bear and leave us questioning: Couldn t we have prevented this from happening? Be reminded that we are not sent to save, but to walk with those who suffer, help them endure, and inspire hope. Lent prepares us for this journey. It equips us to deal with brokenness, suffering, guilt, and death. Lent also prepares us to embrace and share the promises of Easter. It keeps hope alive and strengthens faith in Jesus Christ who loved us so much that He gave His life to reconcile us to God. Through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven and death is defeated. No longer do we suffer alone because of Christ s victory over death. And as the body of Christ in the world, no longer do others have to suffering alone. For Christians, Easter makes suffering bearable. It brings to end sadness and makes hope possible. Easter lifts the spirit that we might freely cross over from darkness into light. cont d. p. 2 Inside this issue: Pastor s Article 1-2 President s Article 3-4 Worship Schedule 3 TLCW 4 Lenten Offering 5 Fat Tuesday 5 Parish Nurse 6 Our Mission: Seeing God s Plan, Answering God s Call, Doing God s Work
Feb. 2 Feb. 5 Feb. 9 Page 2 February Birthdays Jon Marple Frances Smith Fred Hellman Feb. 15 Doris Merrick Feb. 18 Kathy Musson Pastor s Article Cont d And because Easter is a celebration of the victory of love over sin and life over death, s/he who suffers is filled with joy. This is the message we take to the world. It is one of hope. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has b e e n g i v e n t o us (Romans 5:3-5). In Christ s service, Prepared His Way Lenten Theme Following Jesus: A look at characters around the cross. Ash Wednesday Mary Walked with Him Peter March 8 John March 15 Helped by Him Samaritan Woman March 22 Crippled Woman March 29 Canaanite Woman April 5 Opposed Him Caiaphas April 13 Watched Him Die Centurion April 14 Pastor C Appeared to Easter Mary Magdalene 2017 Council Officers Kathy Nevans President Fred Hellman Vice President Kris Riddell Treasurer Diane Babbitt Secretary Carolyn Tyler Financial Secretary Council Highlights Election of Officers, President Kathy Nevans, Vice President Fred Hellman, Secretary Diane Babbitt, Treasurer Kris Riddell, Financial Secretary Carolyn Tyler Appointed Fred Chairperson of Worship and Music Appointed Diane Chairperson of Hospitality Appointed Jerry Chairperson of Property Several Chairs still needed Learning and Outreach Looking for delegates to the Synod Convention June 8-10 at Adam s Mark in Kansas City Diane Babbitt, Council Secretary
Page 3 Assisting Ministers Message from President Thank you all for another successful year at Blue Ridge Trinity Lutheran Church. As I write this I think of all the wonderful things we as a congregation accomplished over the last year and I start to think of what we will do Assisting Ministers Feb. 5 Bob Jones Feb. 12 Bob Harvey Feb. 19 Kathy Nevans this coming year. For those who were not in attendance, I call your attention to a couple agenda items from the Annual Meeting. First is the repair of our sign in front of the church. The sign has been Feb. 26 Ken Riddell Readers Feb. 5 Cub Scouts Feb. 12 Morrie Carlson Feb. 19 Bob Jones Feb. 26 Chris Gannan Ushers Feb. 5 Diane Babbitt & Scouts Feb. 12 Eleanor Kramer & Kathy Musson Feb. 19 Jerry Nevans & Anthony Saccardi Feb. 26 Diane LaForte & Theresa Tuttle Acolytes Feb. 5 Christopher S. Feb. 12 Samuel Cummings Feb. 19 Nathanael Cummings Feb. 26 Christopher S. removed and will be replaced once it has received some much needed maintenance and upgrade. While we would have loved to affix a sign with fancy LED lights and a scrolling marquee, your council opted to simply repair and upgrade the sign, which would make it easier when changing the message. Next, the ramp for downstairs will be completed soon. Since this is an Eagle project, there are certain steps that must be followed to meet the Scout s requirements. We should be seeing some action very soon. Lastly, we will be removing the stained carpet and installing new flooring in the Narthex. We are also requesting that potted plants currently there be removed or we will find a home for them. The watering and feeding of those plants have caused some stains and odor that are not very welcoming for our Narthex. I also want to share with you in advance, the service project our Council has decided on for the Lenten Season. This year we will be collecting paper goods and personal hygiene products. Examples are: toilet paper, diapers, baby wipes, Kleenex, adult diapers, feminine products, such as tampons and pads. AND for men and women toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving crème, and shavers. Cont d on p. 4
Page 4 President s Article Cont d These items are not available for purchase with food stamps and are in great demand at all shelters. We will start collecting items on Ash Wednesday, March 1. We will have service that evening at 6:00 p.m. and then the next 5 Wednesdays, with a light meal at 5:15 p.m. and service at 6:00 p.m. If you wish to donate money, we will put it together and buy items in bulk at Sam s Club. Just a reminder, sign up to get your photo taken for our new directory. Photos taken February 11-13. I have been so blessed to be your President and honestly I do enjoy the responsibility. Thank you again for your trust and encouragement. I leave you with this verse from my devotions this week, 1 John 1:17 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son purifies us from all sin. We all walk in the light, enjoy our fellowship and follow our Lord Jesus and for that I am grateful. Peace be with you all always, Kathy Nevans TLCW Photo Directory February 21, 2017-9:30 a.m. Regular Workday. Needed as always Best Choice UPC codes, plastic and/or GROCERY SIZE bags, personal items (not covered by Food Stamps Saturday, February 11 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 12 12 noon -7:00 p.m. Monday, February 13 2:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. tooth paste & brushes, deodorants, Kleenex, paper towels). We receive $$ for the codes and other items go to the MLM Food Pantry. Thank you! Potluck lunch at noon. Everyone welcome. Pat Welch
Lenten Offering 2017 During Lent (March 1-April 14), we will be collecting PAPER PRODUCTS on Wednesdays and Sundays. We will also collect money and purchase items at Whole Sale Club. All proceeds will be donated to MLM & REAP. List of Acceptable Items: Paper Towel Toilet Paper Kleenex Baby Diapers Baby Wipes Adult Diapers Feminine Hygiene Products Shaving Cream Tooth Brush Tooth Paste Men s Shavers Fat Tuesday Page 5 St. Matthew s Episcopal Church will be hosting a Pancake Supper Tuesday, February, 28, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Adults - $5.00 Children - $3.00 Book Club Join us for Book Club on Friday, February 24, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at the Nevans Home. We will be reading the Bible, beginning with the Book of Genesis.
Parish Nurse Hello with LOVE! This month is all about love with American Heart month, and go RED day (many wear RED on this day) which is Feb 3rd. It is also Dating Abuse Awareness month. And as we think about taking care of loved ones, let us also think about ourselves. By being the role model, you can impact so many. So as you watch your loved ones and encourage them to care for themselves, know that they are watching you for support and direction. Be sure you are aware of signs of possible heart problems. Do not ignore upper back pain, jaw pain, shortness of breath, nausea, or pressure in your upper abdomen. Although we have risk factors we cannot control, there are some we can. Eating habits to aid in keeping blood pressure cholesterol, and weight down and exercise are just two. The acronym F.A.S.T. (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, and Time to call 911) is another set of symptoms to keep in mind. A member and I went to see some of the shut-ins this month. We are going to be entering into Lent soon. I am again going to give my time more during these forty days. John 3:16 is my go to verse this month. May I be able to love others also as they love me. Upcoming events: Picture directory Go Red Day Feb 3rd Scout Sunday Feb 5th Food giveaway Feb 11th Pancakes at St. Matthews Feb 28th Linda Hokenson Prayer Chain Martha Mitchell {Raymond Jones sister,} Richard Miller, Chris Jones, Hollis Mundhenke, Les Tebbenkamp {Mary Burge s brother}, Mike Singh {Samantha s uncle}, Lucy Stillwell {Margaret Grote s mother}, Charlie Havermann {Jenny & Matt Havermann s son}, Lisa Coan {Kathy Musson s friend}, Lois and Amy Chanslor {friends of Anne McCoy}, Deb and Larry Gonnello, Peggy Shoemaker, Rock Rickel {Susan s cousin}, Elden Grittman, Roy Javner {friend of Jerry Nevans}, Frances Smith, Allison Box {Jaunita Box s granddaughter}, Rick Miller {Larry Moffitt s friend}, Bonnie Besch {Linda Gippner s sister-in-law}, Mary Kee, Vivian Moffitt, Norma Phillips, Cera Hawkins {Inge Howard s granddaughter}, Maureen Barnett Moore, Vitula Zimmerschied {Joyce McFadden s mother}, Bev Lavitt, Louise Latta {Linda Gippner s aunt}, Angela Beaman {Gonnello s daughter}, Jean Henderson, Pat Jones and Ruth Davis.
Trinity Tidings This is a monthly publication of Blue Ridge Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. Articles or information pertinent to the life and mission of the congregation may be submitted to the Church Office by the 20 th of each month. Space limitations may require editing of material. Church Schedule Sundays: Adult SS - 8:00 a.m. Youth SS - 8:30 a.m. Worship - 9:30 a.m. URGENT NEED OF PASTORAL CARE CALL: Office: 816-353-5446 Pastor: 816-785-4006 Church Staff Orin W. Cummings Pastor Jackie Harvey Choir Director Mary Burge Organist Bob Harvey Contemporary Worship Blue Ridge Trinity Lutheran Church 5757 Blue Ridge Blvd. Raytown, MO 64133
Blue Ridge Trinity Lutheran Church 5757 Blue Ridge Blvd. Raytown, MO 64133 Phone: (816) 353-5446 www.brtraytown.org Email: brt@brtraytown.org SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT Sunday Schedule 8:00 a.m. Adult Sunday School 8:30 a.m. Youth Sunday School 9:30 p.m. Worship 10:30 a.m. Fellowship 1 10:00 a.m. Al Anon Study 7:00 p.m. Choir Study - Revelation 7:00 p.m. Cubs 2 3 OFFICE CLOSED 4 4 p.m. Worship at St. Matthew s 5 5 th Sun after Epiphany SCOUT SUNDAY 7:00 p.m. Scouts 6 7 8 10:00 a.m. Al Anon Study 7:00 p.m. Choir Study - Revelation 7:00 p.m. Cubs 9 10 OFFICE CLOSED 11 Photo Dir. 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. Scouts: Arrow of Light Ceremony & Blue and Gold Dinner 6:00 p.m. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 6 th Sun after Epiphany Traditional Service Photo Dir. 12:00-7:00 p.m. Photo Directory 2:00-9:00 p.m. 9:30 a.m. Meeting 10:00 a.m. Al Anon Study 7:00 p.m. Choir Study - Revelation NO CUBS OFFICE CLOSED 4 p.m. Worship at St. Matthew s 7:00 p.m. Scouts 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 7 th Sun after Epiphany Blended Service President s Day 9:30 a.m. TCLW 6:00 p.m. Church Council Meeting 10:00 a.m. Al Anon Study 7:00 p.m. Choir Study - Revelation 7:00 p.m. Cubs OFFICE CLOSED 6:00 p.m. Book Club 4 p.m. Worship at St. Matthew s 26 27 28 Transfiguration Sunday Brief Liturgical Service 2 nd S 7:00 p.m. Scouts after 10:00 a.m. Ruth Circle 5:00-7:30 a.m. Fat Tuesday @ St. Matthew s